Ideal Founder Series 015 Leon, Founder of AquaFertile
Feb 6, 2024
( English Version Below v v v v )
海沃水族詳細資訊：https://portaly.cc/aquafertile
About Leon
《水》
育銓是個對周遭環境十分敏感的人，不管是在台下聽他的分享或是和他面對面對談的時候，都可以發現育銓不僅對自己想要表達的事物有很高的掌握度，同時也能感受得到聽者的情緒和感受，而這樣謙虛且細膩的心思，同時也展現在育銓和水生生物之間的互動。
熱愛潛水的育銓將一個陪伴他深潛過的面鏡分享給我們，作為他在 Ideal Founder’s Story Wall 上的代表物，這個面鏡代表了育銓對潛水的熱愛，也代表了育銓和水之間的連結。
除了可以從育銓對水生生物的熱愛，或是以潛水作為興趣等面向感受到他和水之間的連結以外，和育銓對話過的人應該都不難發現育銓就像是水一樣，身段柔軟卻又充滿能量。
《水生之旅》
幼稚園時學校有一個巨大的水草造景缸，寬度足有兩公尺，園長常常在下課後帶著我們一起餵魚，那時的我深深的被生物們穿梭在水草中的景象吸引，或許就是從那刻起，我對水生生物產生了濃厚的興趣。
我的阿姨也曾經送了我一個魚缸，我在裡面養了一些短鯛，觀察魚群的互動與繁衍過程成了一個興趣，也在同一時期，我經常去逛回家途中的一家水族館，對於水生生物的熱愛也不斷增長，最終選擇就讀海洋大學水產養殖學系，畢業後即創立了海沃水族。
《Aim High, Move Fast, Start Small》
「創業即畢業的育銓，一步步建立了海沃水族，在背後支持著如此勇氣與成就的是育銓面對日常的心態 - Aim high, Move fast, Start small。」
Aim high -設定更高的目標可以引領我們到更遠的地方，一路上遭遇的種種，不論好壞，都將會是我們人生中重要的環節。
Move fast -
迅速採取行動，能有效避免拖延、消耗內部資源。無論是日常工作的細節，還是更宏觀的商業策略規劃，每一步的迅速前進都將為我們揭開新的視野。這種積極主動的態度，不僅加速我們達成目標，更能引領我們發現更多未曾想象的可能性。
Start small - 設立更遠大的目標在帶給我動力的同時，也為自己帶來了不少壓力。對我而言，每天都取得一點進展、逐步實現小目標是消除壓力最好的方法。
About AquaFertile
《生活品質》
「生而為人，我們都某種程度上的在追求自己定義中的生活品質和舒適，而育銓一路上所付出的努力，不僅僅為了自己的生活品質而努力，也為讓水生生物們得到夠好的生活品質而奮鬥。」
我很高興也很幸運，從小就知道了自己的熱忱所在，水生生物是我生活中很大的一部分，因此如何為它們帶來更好的生活品質一直是我努力的方向。
一路上從小時候的單純熱愛，到大了開始累積相關專業，最後藉由到國外的實習機會瞭解了不同市場的狀況，我意識到台灣普遍對如何正確地照顧水生生物的基本認知是不足的。
若是希望進一步為產業帶來價值，系統化的知識交流不管對水生生物販售廠商或是飼主們來說都是必要的。
《 讀心術 》
「我們認為對水生生物的好，不見得是生物們真正需要的協助與環境，漂亮的魚缸及擺設、氣氛感滿點的燈光，放在室內做點綴絕對是加分的，但對生活在其中的生物們，需要的也許是截然不同的環境。」
我們都希望生物們能得到妥善的照顧，但除非我們會讀心術和它們溝通，否則想要提供妥善的照顧，是無法依靠我們的直覺與感受的，我們需要的是系統化的知識與判斷標準。
空間、水質、光照，到生物的活動行為、攝食情況或激素濃度等等因素，都是眾多標準中的一環，在實際投入產業後我也深刻了解到水族產業中的動物福利，是我們可以為產業提供價值的地方。
最終我們決定先以營養跟餌料的專長進入市場，我們所能提供的其他價值也漸漸的被注意到，現在的海沃更專注於協助我們的客戶建立完整的養殖流程與優化場域，這麼做不僅希望為水族產業的從業人員帶來更多系統化的專業知識，也為每次合作中受益的水生生物們。
《 系統化 》
「海沃的成立並非為了功成名就，而是為了水生生物的動物福利，然而這樣的成就，勢必需要整個產業的共同努力才有機會達到的。」
在創立海沃的過程，我一直提醒自己要建立「系統」，也就是能因應「狀況」做出適合的「反應」，藉由「偵錯」與「回饋」留下「歷史紀錄」。讓水生生物的照護不再只能以生物們的性命作為經驗累積的代價。
我們的主要客戶包含商業水族館、繁殖場以及海生館，包含了產業鏈中最常見的幾個角色，我們希望長期透過系統化的知識為產業帶來系統上的改變，另外也因為供給是相互相生的，消費端的觀念建立還需仰賴產業中各個節點的努力。
《珊瑚礁》
珊瑚礁是許多水生生物的主要棲息地，但不管是因為人為還是氣候的影響，健康的珊瑚礁正以肉眼可見的速度在世界各地逐漸的消失中，棲息在其中的水生生物們將最先受到影響，然而這樣的效應終將擴散至整個生態系中。
因此我們海沃也從創立到現在積極和研究院、基金會、博物館等機構合作，一起為生態系的健康盡一份心力！
Next Step for AquaFertile
《共同努力》
當初會決定成立海沃，單純是因為我對水生生物的熱愛，早期多數的注意力都放在學術上的鑽研，到了後來才更加理解到若是希望可以帶來真正的改變，單打獨鬥是不夠的，因此今年我們也將更專注在三項主要服務：「玩家」諮詢服務、「專案」技術服務、「企業」顧問服務。
「玩家」諮詢服務: 系統性解決飼育過程中，碰到的疑難雜症
「專案」技術服務: 提供客製化的創新水生生物繁殖技術與解決方案
「企業」顧問服務: 從根本降低採補、貿易、畜養時的損耗，或協助場域的復育
About Leon
《Water-Like》
Leon got an incredible sense of awareness of his surroundings. Whether listening to his presentations as an audience or engaging in face-to-face conversations, one can quickly realize that Leon not only has a firm grasp on the subjects he wishes to convey but also capable of comprehending the emotions and feelings of his audience. This humility and attentiveness are also reflected in his interactions with aquatic life.
Leon is also a passionate diver, he shared a diving mask he has used with us on our Founder’s Story Wall. This mask symbolizes his love for diving and his connection with water and the drive to his venture.
Beyond his affection for aquatic life and diving as a hobby, anyone who has had conversation with Leon would likely find that he resembles water – flexible yet full of energy.
《Journey into Aquatic Passion》
In kindergarten, there was a huge aquascaping tank at school, about two meters wide. The principal often took us to feed the fish after class. I was deeply fascinated by the sight of the aquatic creatures swimming among the aquatic plants. Perhaps it was from that moment that my strong interest in aquatic life began to grow.
My aunt once gave me a fish tank, and I started keeping some dwarf cichlid in it. Observing the interactions and reproduction of the fish became a hobby. During the same period, I often visited an aquarium on my way home from school.
My love for aquatic life continued to grow, leading me to choose to major in Aquaculture at National Taiwan Ocean University. After graduating, I founded AquaFertile.
《Aim high, move fast, start small》
“As Leon started his business immediately after graduation and established AquaFertile, his approaches have always been driven by a simple yet powerful mindset - Aim high, Move fast, Start small.”
Aim High -
Setting big goals propels me to move toward further destinations. All the goods and bads along the way will eventually become beautiful chapters of our life.
Move Fast -
Acting swiftly helps avoid procrastination, internal resource depletion. Whether it's a daily task or even a business strategy, quick steps open new horizons for us. The proactive attitude not only accelerates our progress towards goals but also leads us to discover possibilities we never imagined.
Start Small -
While setting ambitious goals motivates me, it brings me pressure at the same time. For me, the best way to alleviate this pressure is by making small steps each day, achieving small goals step by step.
About AquaFertile
《Quality of life》
“As human beings, we all seek a certain level of quality and comfort in life. The efforts I have put in along the way are not just for my own life, but also for the lives and quality of aquatic creatures.”
I feel happy and fortunate to have known my passion from a young age. Aquatic life is a significant part of my existence, so working towards improving their quality of life has always been my focus.
My journey started with a simple love for these beautiful creatures in my childhood, which evolved into professional expertise as I grew up. Finally, through internships abroad, I gained insight into different markets and realized that in Taiwan, there is a general lack of basic knowledge about the proper care of aquatic life.
If we aim to add value to the industry, systematic knowledge exchange among all parties within the industry is essential, including both aquatic life vendors and the consumers.
《 Mind Reading 》
“We often think that we’re doing the best for aquatic life, like beautiful aquariums, decorations, and atmospheric lighting that enhance indoor aesthetics. But the truth is these might not be what these beautiful creatures truly need for a better environment.”
As someone who cares deeply about the well-being of these aquatic lifes, I know that providing proper care isn't something we can measure based on intuition or feelings, unless we’re able to read their mind.
Instead, we need systematic knowledge and standards. Factors like space, water quality, lighting, and even their behavior, feeding habits, or hormone levels are all part of numerous criteria. After getting involved in the industry, I've come to understand that animal welfare in the aquarium trade is an area where we can add real value.
We initially entered the market with our expertise in nutrition and feed, but gradually, other values we could offer began to be recognized. Now we focus more on assisting our clients in establishing complete cultivation processes and optimizing their facilities. We do this not only to bring more systematic professional knowledge to those in the aquarium industry but also for the benefit of aquatic life in every possible aspect.
《 Systematization 》
“AquaFertile was founded not for fame or success, but for the welfare of aquatic life. Achieving this goal requires the collective effort of the entire industry.”
During the establishment of AquaFertile, I constantly reminded myself of the importance of building a “system” – one that can respond appropriately to “circumstances”, with “error detection” and “feedback” to create a historical record. This mindset is crucial to ensure that the care of aquatic life doesn't come at the cost of their lives.
Our main clients include commercial aquariums, breeding farms, and marine exhibits, covering several key roles within the industry. We aim to bring systemic changes to the industry through systematic knowledge in the long run. And also, supply and demand are interdependent, so establishing consumer awareness still relies on the efforts of every role within the industry.
《Coral Reefs》
Coral reefs are vital habitats for many aquatic species, but due to both human activities and climate impact, healthy coral reefs are disappearing at an noticeable rate worldwide. The aquatic life that inhabits them is among the first to suffer, but eventually, this effect will spread throughout the entire ecosystem.
That's why AquaFertile has been actively collaborating with institutions like research institutions, foundations, and even museums since our inception. Together, we are working to contribute to the health of our ecosystems!
Next Step for AquaFertile
When I decided to establish AquaFertile, it was purely out of my love for aquatic life. In the early days, most of my focus was on academic research. But as time went by, I realized that to make a real difference, working alone wasn't enough. So, this year, we're focusing more on three main services: Consultation for hobbyists, project based technical services, and advisory services for corporations.
Hobbyist Consultation: Systematically addressing the challenges and issues encountered in breeding and care.
Project Technical Services: Providing customized, innovative techniques and solutions for aquatic life breeding.
Corporate Advisory Services: Reducing the losses in capture, trade, and husbandry fundamentally, or assisting in habitat restoration projects.
